Who are these options for?

If sugar is your main consideration

You want to serve something crunchy with coffee and compare the sugar content per 100 g. Uncoated plain rice cakes are a good place to start.

For groups with dietary requirements or allergies

You’re serving guests who need to consider ingredients or allergens. A claim on the front of the pack is no substitute for checking the ingredients and allergen information for the product you’ve chosen.

If you want something sweet with your coffee

You’re looking for a ready-to-serve treat and are happy to accept that a chocolate coating is less suitable when keeping sugar low is your main priority.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide whether less sugar or a sweet treat is your priority. Then check that the rice cakes you choose are suitable for your guests.

What to consider What to check Who should consider this?
Sugars Compare the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g across similar rice cakes. Also check for added sugars if they’re listed separately. I want something to serve with coffee without assuming a sweet coating; around 50% of consumers prioritise comparing sugar content.
Dietary requirements and allergens Check the ingredients and the ‘contains’ and ‘may contain’ statements on the packaging of your chosen product. If friends need to avoid certain ingredients, I want to know what I can serve them first; around 30% of consumers consider suitability most important.
Flavour and serving Choose between plain rice cakes, which you can top yourself, and a ready-made coated option; check the storage instructions too. For a relaxed coffee catch-up, I want to serve something that suits the group; around 20% of consumers prioritise this when choosing what to serve.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming a coated rice cake is the same as a plain one

    The Albert Heijn milk chocolate rice cakes reviewed here list 32 g of sugars per 100 g, compared with 1.4 g per 100 g for the plain Albert Heijn version reviewed.

    Serve a coated option as a treat you’ve chosen to enjoy; choose a plain version if keeping sugar low is your main priority.

  • Relying on the front of the pack alone

    A claim such as ‘light’ doesn’t tell you on its own how much sugar a rice cake contains. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, the nutritional values per 100 g provide a basis for comparing similar products.

    Compare the sugars per 100 g, then read the ingredients list.

  • Confusing ‘gluten-free’ with ‘free from all allergens’

    A dietary claim says nothing about other allergens. For example, Jumbo says the plain rice cakes reviewed here may contain sesame and soya.

    Ask guests which ingredients they need to avoid and check the latest allergen information for the product you’re serving.

  • Relying on an old product listing

    A product page may still display information even though its online availability has changed. For the Zonnatura and Smaakt versions reviewed here, Jumbo stated that they were no longer part of its online range.

    Check current availability before buying and compare the information online with the packaging you receive.

Brands to consider

AH

Albert Heijn sells both plain rice cakes and a milk chocolate version, so you can compare an uncoated and a coated option within the same product range.

  • For the AH plain rice cakes reviewed here, Albert Heijn lists 1.4 g of sugars and 0 g of added sugars per 100 g.
  • The AH milk chocolate version reviewed here lists 32 g of sugars and 27 g of added sugars per 100 g, and contains milk and lactose.

Jumbo

The plain Jumbo rice cakes reviewed here are an uncoated option to compare for sugar content.

  • Jumbo lists 0.6 g of sugars per 100 g for this plain version.
  • Jumbo also states that this version may contain sesame and soya.

PLUS

The plain PLUS rice cakes reviewed here are a simple, uncoated option to serve with coffee.

  • For this version, PLUS lists 0.4 g of sugars and 0 g of added sugars per 100 g.
  • When buying, check the latest packaging if the ingredients or dietary requirements of your guests are important.

Zonnatura

The organic plain version reviewed here is worth considering if you’re specifically looking for organic wholegrain brown rice as well as checking the sugar content.

  • Jumbo’s product information lists 99.8% organic wholegrain brown rice and less than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g.
  • Jumbo stated that this version was no longer part of its online range, so check current availability.

Goud Gebakken

This ALDI version reviewed here is a rice cake with sea salt.

  • ALDI describes this version as gluten-free and vegan and lists 17 cakes per pack.
  • If you want to compare this version for sugar content, check the nutritional information on the latest packaging.

Rice cakes on Joybuy

Related products will be available soon.

Frequently asked questions

How do I compare rice cakes if I want to cut down on sugar?

Compare the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g across similar rice cakes. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends this basis for comparison because manufacturers may use different portion sizes. Then read the ingredients list if you also want to check for added ingredients.

Does 0 g of added sugars also mean 0 g of sugars?

No. Total sugars and added sugars are listed separately. For the plain rice cakes reviewed here, PLUS lists 0 g of added sugars and 0.4 g of total sugars per 100 g.

Can I rely on ‘light’ or ‘reduced sugar’ claims when choosing?

Don’t use a claim like this as a substitute for the nutrition table. Compare the sugars per 100 g listed for similar rice cakes and check which ingredients have been used.

Are plain rice cakes suitable for guests with allergies?

That depends on the specific product and the ingredients your guests need to avoid. Jumbo says the plain rice cakes reviewed here may contain sesame and soya, so always check the latest packaging.

How should I store rice cakes left over after coffee?

Follow the storage instructions on the packaging and seal the pack well after opening. For the plain version reviewed here, Albert Heijn recommends storing it in a closed tin; PLUS recommends an airtight container.